Robert Kniesche: A life devoted to Baltimore and photography

18 Photos

The Baltimore Sun newspaper has a rich history of photojournalism. Since publishing its first photograph on September 30, 1901 The Sun has employed a long line of award winning photographers. To pay tribute to these photographers, The Darkroom will periodically take a look back at the body of work by some of these photographers whose love of their craft helped document the lives of people from the backstreets of Baltimore to the four corners of the globe.

One such photographer was Robert F. Knieche (1906-1976) who was a member of The Baltimore Sun photo staff for 41 years and for many years was the photo director. Knieche was born in Baltimore and began working at The Baltimore Sun in the 1920’s.

In the 1930’s, he recognized the value of aerial photography as a news gather tool and often took aerial photographs himself. He served during World War II in the United States Navy. In 1947 he helped set up the photo department at WMAR-TV, which was owned by The Baltimore Sun. He was also a charter member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

Knieche’s won numerous awards and has had his work displayed at the Peal Museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art and several universities.